What You Need to Know About Crawfish Season in Louisiana for 2026

I heard from a friend over the holidays about crawfish already here and available. The bugs are actually beginning to arrive. But they are in very limited supply and pretty pricey. 2025 was an ok year for crawfish, but we never saw prices drop to really low levels.

But last year was much better than 2024 when the industry had a tough year.

READ MORE: Nutrition info for boiled crawfish

What Will Louisiana's Crawfish Season Be Like in 2026?

Crawfish are big business in Louisiana. In a 'normal year', Louisiana crawfish farmers will supply more than 150 million pounds of crawfish which brings an estimated $300 million to the state economy. But heat and a drought in 2024 hit hard. The crawfish farmers are hoping to see a bounce back again this year.

Take a peek inside how crawfish make it to your table.

How Much Are Crawfish in Louisiana Right Now?

As we start to see the early part of the season, you have to be alert to get crawfish in January. And you have to be prepared to pay a premium. Restaurants typically post messages online about the availability and they usually sell out. The lowest price we could find for the New Year is $12.99 a pound. In my view, you really have to want crawfish bad to pay that much. But, to each his own.

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When Will Crawfish Prices Start to Drop in Louisiana?

January and February will most likely see the highest prices of the year. But once we get to March, we should see prices dip below $10 a pound and later in the spring you will be able to find plenty of crawfish back in the $3-$6 range.